The Birmingham delegation at MIPIM 2014 will be larger than ever before as the post-gloom push for investment in flagship schemes and infrastructure projects takes pace.

A total of 27 partners will join the Greater Birmingham team at the world’s largest real estate show taking place in Cannes, France, from March 11 to 14.

It hosts more than 20,000 participants from 80 countries, ranging from global investors to chief executives and journalists. Virtually all major European cities attend the event to showcase their latest developments to potential funders.

With a number of local projects under the spotlight, Birmingham will celebrating unprecedented levels of investment in its infrastructure – while looking ahead to the future opportunities available to investors and developers.

Organised by inward investment programme Business Birmingham, its presence will focus on the city’s growing transport networks.

This will include how HS2 is joining Birmingham with the UK’s other regional economic centres; Birmingham New Street station’s £600 million transformation; and the £65 million runway extension at Birmingham Airport bringing long-haul destinations closer to the city.

Birmingham will also showcase flagship sites such as its economic zones – led by the city centre enterprise zone – which are offering investors financial benefits, business support, planning flexibility and 1.8 million sq m of new floorspace. Key sectors under the spotlight will include Birmingham’s growing technology scene.

Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham will be capitalising on its growing reputation as a European hub for enterprise and investment at MIPIM next year. It has one of the most ambitious visions for urban development in Europe – from its plans for international connectivity to the range of unique infrastructure projects on the horizon.

“The city is bucking the trend in attracting more overseas investment, despite a tough economic climate, because we offer businesses greater support and a better welcome than any other UK location. MIPIM provides a platform for us to engage with the organisations looking to invest in our new schemes and join in our economic growth.”

Nick Payne, managing director at Nikal, said: “Joining Birmingham’s MIPIM delegation once again is key to our strategy of securing investor interest in our regenerative Exchange Square development at Masshouse.

“MIPIM is a must-attend event for the global property industry, and enables Birmingham’s private sector partners to present our cutting-edge developments and expertise to an international audience.

“Birmingham’s presence at the show has gone from strength to strength, and we look forward to joining our partners at Cannes next year.”

Birmingham’s presence at MIPIM builds on the success of 2013’s show, which involved 11 events and 18 partners.

It generated more than 150 pieces of positive media coverage about the city as a business destination – while Business Birmingham’s website received more than 2,000 visits during the event, a 30 per cent increase on 2012.

Wouter Schuitemaker, investment director at Business Birmingham, said Birmingham secured a 52 per cent rise in inward investment projects in 2012/13, against a national increase of 11 per cent.

This created or safeguarded over 4,000 jobs, generating an annual economic impact of £174 million.

He added: “Securing inward investment relies on developing strong relationships with international business leaders, and speaking with them face to face enables us to really sell the city’s strengths.

“High profile events like MIPIM are crucial to showcasing the city’s confidence as a business destination to hundreds of potential investors.

“Birmingham’s growing international profile helped to increase levels of foreign direct investment into the city by over 50 per cent last year, and is directly contributing to its economic success.

“To maintain this track record, the city needs to attend the global events that our competitors will have a presence at – or miss a valuable opportunity to meet new investors.”